Paul H. Whitney, 88, of Upton, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at Beaumont Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Northbridge, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Whitney was born in Grafton, a son of the late Daniel E. and Nora M. (McCarthy) Whitney, and had lived in Upton since 1946. His wife of 65 years, L. Theresa (Pierce) Whitney, died in June. 

He was a 1942 graduate of Grafton High School and a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. He worked at Bay State Abrasives in Westborough for 40 years, retiring in 1986. An expert in the art of joke telling, Mr. Whitney enjoyed gardening, lawn mower repair, crossword puzzles and most especially spending time with his family and friends.

He leaves his six children Theresa Bentley of Norton, Paula Plumley and her husband Edward of Holden, Nancy Caisse and her husband Ray of Ayer, June Henneberry and her husband Daniel, of Blackstone, Joseph Whitney of Upton and Janet Taft and her husband Chip of Whitinsville; his a sister Marian Wellman of Sutton; his 13 grandchildren; his eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings Dan, Dave, and Bud Whitney, and Marge Sadler.

Funeral services with military honors will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 5:30 p.m., at Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home, 45 Main St., Upton. Calling hours are prior to the service, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at the funeral home. A social gathering will follow immediately after the service at George L. Wood VFW Post, 15 Milford St., Upton. Following cremation, burial in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.